❥Welcome back Daastanians, I missed Y'all so much tbh 😭 Well now that I am back, I will try my best to post the chapters soon, AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT because it discourages me seeing literally no feedback 😔.
I skipped some scenes like the whole Ayat &Anas's wedding and the shooting challenge thing. So Now we are just gonna start the chaotic drama of Zain & Mimi
Happy Reading ✨🎀

Life is just too beautiful when you start getting happy about small things and seeing the bigger picture. Life is a battle, but sometimes it feels like the fight is with oneself, and as hard as it is to win, it's just as necessary not to give up. Often, we search for answers to life's questions, but perhaps the answers lie in the journey, not the destination.

Zindagi ek kitaab ki tarah hai, har din ek naya safha. Kuch safhe hansi layein ge, aur kuch aansoon, magar har safha tumhari kahani banata hai.

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Going on a trip and that also with your friends makes you feel what freedom is. It was a different feeling since I came to Gilgit Baltistan, The hidden treasure are here tbh, I MEAN I AM IN LOVE WITH IT's natural beauty. You know I have a soft spot for three things only, Nature, My family, and.....Her. Well that's what life is all about, Adventures and struggles.

I stood there gazing at this beautiful lake, It just feels so majestic. I took a few snaps and sending it to my family, Of course to make 'em all jealous.

{ SUCH A POOKIE I AM}
I love how we have different examples around us about the creation Of Allah SWT. Talking about this I remembered the Ayat of Surah Ar Rahman (55:13) 
           
فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
So which of the favours of lord would you deny?

Another Ayat from Surah Al Mulk (67:3-4)

الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنْ تَفَاوُتٍ ۖ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِنْ فُطُورٍ (٣) ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنْقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ (٤

"𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚. 𝑺𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏—𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒘? (𝟑) 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒘𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒖𝒆𝒅." (𝟒)

A smile played on my lips, reciting these Ayat's. They give such peace to my soul that I can't even explain it in words.

Well I got a call from Zarar Bhai at that moment, And guess what It's my day 3 Here And they all are already missing me awww. { JUST KIDDING} Who even misses me ! Of course they might have some URGENT work or something and that's why they are calling me that far to Islamabad. LIKE SERIOUSLY CAN'T I EVEN HAVE A PEACEFUL VACATION.

But wait a minute, I would get to see Mimi so yeah I am glad about that. As Mimi is studying in Lahore so she visits for a week every month but FINALLY The wait is over now her vacations started. I don't know why but I do
Feel like a magnetic pull towards Mimi. ah god knows what she has done to me *I muttered walking towards my car*

I sat in my black G-Wagon, my personal beast. The matte black exterior gleamed under the soft morning sun, its bold and rugged design demanding attention. A hint of oud lingered in the air, mixing with the crisp mountain breeze that sneaked in before I shut the door. The digital dashboard lit up as I pressed the ignition, the AMG logo flashing before the screen settled into its usual sleek display. The Burmester sound system hummed softly in the background, waiting for me to pick a song.

I gripped the steering wheel, fingers running over the carbon-fiber trim as I let out a slow breath. Islamabad was hours away, and the roads ahead were long, but I didn't mind. Long drives were my therapy, the hum of the engine and the open roads my escape.

"Chal mere shair," I muttered, revving the engine once before shifting into gear.

The journey back to Islamabad had begun.
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As I turned onto the familiar roads of Islamabad, the city's skyline came into view. The sun was beginning to dip, casting a golden hue over the roads. The smooth hum of my G-Wagon felt almost meditative as I maneuvered through the traffic with ease. Islamabad's winter air carried a crisp chill, and I cracked open the window slightly, letting it wash over me.

Pulling into the driveway of our house, I let out a deep breath. The tall gates opened automatically, revealing the grand yet familiar sight of home. The well-manicured lawn stretched on either side, the warm lights from the windows casting a welcoming glow. Parking my car neatly in its designated spot, I sat there for a moment, resting my head against the headrest.

"Bari jaldi yaad aa gayi sab ko?" My phone had been buzzing with missed calls from Ammi and Zarar Bhai. They knew I was coming, but their impatience was unmatched. Smirking, I pushed the door open and stepped out, stretching my arms after the long drive.

As I stepped into the house, I heard a lot of chit chatting and excitement buzzing around. NO WAY SERIOUSLY SOMETHING TOO EXCITING HAPPENED WITHOIT ME !? *I made faces entering the Living room to meet everyone. Dumbfounded me didn't know that the thing I was going to hear is gonna change my life from A to Z.

Huzaifa came towards me smirking teasingly, and I felt alerted that SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN!

"Mubarak ho tumhara Rishta paka hogya" those words hit me hard in gut

I stared at Huzaifa, my brain buffering like a bad internet connection. "Kya?" My voice came out flat, my body frozen in place.

"Haan bhai," Huzaifa grinned, clapping me on the back. "Rishta pakka ho gaya tumhara, Mubarak ho!"

I blinked, looking around the room, searching for someone—anyone—who would tell me this was all some messed-up joke. But nope. The excitement in the air was real. Bi Jaan looked pleased, Ammi was all smiles, and Khadijah was practically bouncing on the sofa, whispering to Lail Bhabhi, who was definitely laughing at my misery.

I turned to Zarar Bhai, the one person who should have at least warned me. But the guy? He was leaning back on the armchair, arms crossed, watching the entire scene like it was a front-row comedy show.

"Kya scene hai yaar?" My voice rose slightly as I threw my hands up. "Main Gilgit se aya hoon ya kisi aur duniya se? Yeh sab ho kya raha hai?"

"Beta, abhi toh sirf baat tay ho gayi hai," Ammi finally said, her voice way too calm for my liking. "Tumhari Mangni Jald hone wali hai."

And that was the moment my entire existence screamed WTF BRUHHHH.

I swear, I felt my soul leave my body for a second. My mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air.

"WHAT?! KIS SE? KAB? KYUN??" I fired off my questions, my heartbeat accelerating.

"Maham se" Bi Jaan announced, like she had just declared the weather. "Arey apni Mimi se"

Everything went dead silent.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

"K-KYA?!" My voice cracked as I looked at Zarar Bhai, waiting for him to say 'Mazak hai bhai, chill kar'—but nah. The man just smirked, fully enjoying my horror.

"Haa na bhai," Huzaifa chimed in, trying way too hard to keep a straight face.

My childhood arch-nemesis. Ghar Ki Ladli Princess, NAKLİ CINDRELLA na ho toh huh. The same Mano Billi who once locked me in a storeroom for two hours just because I called her short. The same Mano Billi who declared war on me at age ten and never backed down.

I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to process the situation. "Yeh koi mazak hai, right?"

"Bilkul nahi," Ammi said sweetly. "Sab kuch final hai. Tum dono ki Mangni bas chand dinon mein hone wali hai."

"Ajeeb mazak chal raha hai," I muttered under my breath.

I swear my soul left my body for a second. LIKE WHY MAHAM? Did they only find my enemy to get me engaged to?! The same Mimi who poured an entire bottle of ROOH Afza on my white kurta when we were kids !

"Bruh abhi tak shock Mei hai" Huzaifa whispered to Zarar Bhai and they both burst into chuckles.

Snapping out of my daze, I ran a hand through my hair turning towards all of them, exhaling sharply in sheer disbelief
"Ap Mei se kisi ko koi bhi masla nahi hai?!"

"Masle toh Bohat hai," he smirked. "Lekin maza bhi bohat aayega ."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. YA ALLAH, yeh sab kya ho raha hai?

I stood there, utterly speechless, my mind still struggling to process the chaos unfolding around me. I glanced at Zarar Bhai, who seemed to be enjoying my mental breakdown way too much, the smirk on his face growing. "Yaar, ap bhi na... Kabhi socha nahi tha yeh sab."

"Aur kisne socha tha," Huzaifa chimed in, his teasing tone not helping my anxiety one bit. "Bas tum dono ka rishta pakka ho gaya, aur tumhein toh pata bhi nahi."

"Rishta pakka? mimi se?" I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth. I couldn't wrap my head around it. "Yeh toh kuch zyada hi unexpected hai."

"Koi tension nahi," Khadijah added, still grinning. "Mimi bohot achi hai. Tum dono kaafi ache couple banenge."

"Khadijah, tum samajh rahi ho yeh kya horaha hai?" I asked, half-laughing and half-wanting to scream. "Yeh Mano Billi, jo mere saath bacche ki tarah ladti thi?"

Khadijah nodded with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Aur tum dono ki jo jhagre ki history hai, woh toh sab ko pata hai. Is liye toh maza aayega na!"

I groaned, my hands once again flying to my face as if I could erase the whole conversation with a swipe. "Yaar, yeh kya drama ban gaya hai. Mano Billi ke saath shaadi? Seriously?!"

Just as I was about to completely lose it, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. The door to the living room creaked open, and there she was — THE GREAT NAKLİ CINDRELLA MANO BILLI, herself, looking as if she was completely unaware of the storm I was in the middle of.

She stood there for a second, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. The moment our gazes met, I swear I could feel the world pause for a split second. Her expression was neutral, yet I could see the corners of her lips twitching, clearly fighting back a smile.

"Zain," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and... something else? "Yaha Kya horha hai?"

And there it was. The moment where I realized I was really stuck in this crazy mess. My heartbeat raced, and for the first time, I wasn't sure whether I was ready to laugh or scream.

"Maham," I finally managed to say, putting on my best fake smile, even though inside, I was drowning. "Mubarak ho, hum dono ka rishta pakka hogaya hai."

She raised an eyebrow, looking at me as though trying to figure out if I was serious. "Rishta paka? Humara??" She paused for a moment, then shrugged with an exaggerated sigh. "Achha, tumhare saath shaadi hi toh krni hai sirf, ab Kya hi kar sakte hain?"

And in that one moment, I realized... Maham wasn't fazed by any of this. If anything, she was enjoying watching me squirm, and that just made everything worse.

"Yeh sab kuch ek bura joke lag raha hai," I muttered, turning towards the others for some kind of support. But no, they were all looking at us, barely containing their laughter. Even Zarar Bhai was leaning back, clearly loving the spectacle.

I stormed out of the living room, the sound of laughter echoing in my ears. My mind was a whirlwind, thoughts racing faster than I could comprehend. I couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Mubarak ho, rishta pakka ho gaya tumhara." Huzaifa's words kept replaying in my head, taunting me, and the realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

This wasn't some prank. This was real.

I didn't want to face anyone right now. I needed space, so I marched straight toward the staircase and headed to my room, my heart pounding in my chest. The moment I stepped inside, I slammed the door behind me, almost shaking with frustration.

I walked over to the window and stared out into the darkness. The lights of Islamabad twinkled in the distance, but nothing could calm the storm raging inside me. Maham. Of all people, it had to be her.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out an exasperated sigh. I didn't know what to feel—anger, confusion, or something else I couldn't quite name.

Shehroze and Fatima—the last people I expected to be in on this—had been so damn casual about it. But what got to me the most was the realization that I hadn't even seen it coming. I had no idea when things between me and Maham had shifted.

She wasn't the bubbly, mischievous little girl I had once known. No, she was a woman now—one who had a presence that caught my attention in ways I couldn't explain.

But I couldn't accept it, could I? I mean, how could I? She was Maham, my cousin, the girl I used to fight with, the one who would laugh at me for being "too serious" about everything. And now I was supposed to marry her?

I gritted my teeth, trying to push the thoughts away. No. I couldn't love her. It didn't make sense. I hadn't even acknowledged what was growing in my chest. If anything, I had been denying it for months. It wasn't love—it couldn't be.

I paced back and forth in my room, the walls closing in on me. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed impossible. My feelings for Maham were too complicated. Too confusing. But what about the way my heart raced whenever she smiled at me? Or the way I couldn't stop thinking about her, even when I tried to push her out of my mind?

I needed to stop. This wasn't the time or place for these thoughts.

I stared out of my window, the city lights flickering in the distance, my mind racing back to the past. Maham. Her name alone sent a jolt of frustration through me. The memories, the pain, the realization that I had been played like a fool, they all came rushing back.

I had been so blind, so utterly captivated by her. She had this way of making everything feel real—like all those late-night talks, those moments when I thought she actually cared. But it was all an act. A well-rehearsed performance. She had used me.

It started so innocently, with her laughter, her smile—something about her had always drawn me in. Maybe I was just too naive, too desperate for attention. But Maham... she knew how to play the game.

She didn't just like me. She needed me. I was just a pawn to her—a means to an end. I had thought I was the one who mattered to her, but all she cared about was her own gain. She wanted connections, influence, and I was part of that plan. I had been the one she called when she needed help, the one she leaned on when she wanted something, and in return, I gave her everything. My trust. My loyalty. My heart.

But the moment she got what she wanted, she disappeared. No warning. No goodbye. Like I had never existed. I wasn't a priority, not in her world. I was just another stepping stone.

The way I had felt... I couldn't ignore it. The hollow ache in my chest when she had pushed me aside for someone else. The lies. The manipulations. I had been nothing but a convenient fool for her, and I hated myself for not seeing it sooner.

I clutched the edge of my desk, trying to steady my breathing. Why was I still thinking about her? After everything, why did she still have a hold on me?

She was the one who hurt me. She was the one who used me, discarded me, and moved on without a second thought. But here I was, still questioning it all.

Why did I still feel something for her? Even after all the lies, the betrayal... Why the hell couldn't I let her go?

I shook my head, standing up and pacing around the room. No, I told myself. This wasn't going to happen again.

But as much as I tried to push it all away, I couldn't escape the gnawing feeling in my gut. What if this was another one of her games? Another ploy to draw me in, to make me fall for her again?

I couldn't let it happen. But deep down, I knew I was already tangled in her web, caught in the mess of emotions I couldn't control.

I needed answers. And I wasn't sure I was ready for the truth.

Was it too late for me to finally break free? Or was I already lost in her game once more?

My chest tightened, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and anger. Why couldn't I let go?

The door creaked open, and my gaze snapped to it. There, standing in the doorway, was Maham. Her eyes locked with mine, and for a split second, I forgot how to breathe.

She didn't speak a word. She didn't need to.

But in that moment, I knew—she was back.

And I had no idea whether I was ready for this... or if I ever would be.
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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐒
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I hope Y'all enjoyed this chapter so far, it took me
A while and a lot of effort to write this so please give feedback 🥲👆🏻
Today the whole POV was of Zain because we need to understand how he is first, in next chapter it will be Maham's pov. Now lemme clear that we won't have Zarail's POV much now.
Well Daastan E Ishq is going to end soon and I am trying to post fast too and sorry for the delays
Do share your opinions in comments 🎀 what do you think is gonna happen next?

Meet Y'all in next chap
Byeeeeeeee ✨